Quote:
Originally Posted by Carol K
Okay, I'd like to speak to the issue of dense breasts being "bull***". They are not. I'm not a clinician; I'm just a medical coder, but I did have dense breasts for a few years, and my doctor recommended a screening ultrasound during those years. So I looked it up and this protocol came about because a doctor who always had a yearly mammogram was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She determined that if your breasts are of a certain density, mammograms can miss tumors that can be seen on an ultrasound. The hospital that I work for recommends a screening ultrasound if the radiologist who reads your mammogram determines that your breasts are heterogeneously or extremely dense, but not if you just have scattered areas of density. In Illinois, a screening ultrasound is covered 100% as preventive care if it is done only for breast density and not for any other diagnostic finding.
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Hi Carol - oh I know - I knew the moment he said that the red flag went up. I come from a line of women with dense breasts and thankfully no breast cancer.
I now go to a center that has the most advanced mammogram technology - 3D mammography as well as 3D ultrasound. I just went through breast cancer with a very close friend - literally. I went to every single doctor's appointment as her note taker, was at the hospital for the surgery, her follow-up and radiation. Thankfully she is clear but, again, a woman with dense breasts. It was a scary time but she is well.
This "doctor" should have his license revoked. I honestly think it's a case of a male doctor not taking a woman seriously.
Thanks for your response, Carol - very much appreciated.
Diane